MyPrecious iPhone Virus Continues Spreading

The virus, which takes advantage of a security hole in iTunes, locks the infected iPhone at random intervals with a picture of a gold ring on the screen. The phone remains locked until the touchscreen is stroked, and the words "my precious" are spoken into the microphone.

The virus outbreak comes at an inopportune time for Apple as they are planning on launching the second generation iPhone next week, but the unexpected popularity of the virus might prove to be advantageous.

Many iPhone users didn't realize their phones had been infected with a virus as they already stroke their phones and say "My Precious." Tyler Johnson, an avid iPhone user, said, "I thought I activated a new feature. I had no idea it was a virus. I'm going to skip the update. I don't mind doing this to my precious."

Apple officials said the virus would not damage the phone, but would also not prolong life or turn the iPhone user invisible. One Apple insider who wished to remain anonymous said, "Invisibility will be availble in the second generation iPhones though, but the virus won't be needed for that."

A Lithuanian hacker, Evel Soron, has claimed credit for developing the virus. On the hacker Web site 4chan he claimed that he's a "big fan" of the iPhone and expects it to be "the one phone to rule them all." For users who haven't been infected yet, Soron has made the virus available on his Web site where it has been downloaded over 300,000 times.

Until Apple releases a fix for the virus, users will either have to continue stroking their phones or toss their iPhones into a flaming pool of lava.